Report says Christianity should be taught

It is commonly, though wrongly, accepted knowledge that public school teachers are not
allowed to teach the Bible, biblical values, or Christian history in
public schools. It is a debate that dominates every part of life, from a
single household to the federal government. The countless legal battles
over the issue have caused many to believe that faith has no place in
education.

Religions place in public education is a hotly debated issue for Americas.

Highlights

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - A new report from nonprofit organization Gateways to Better Education, an organization dedicated to advocating expressions of faith in public schools, seeks to change that.

In a 230-page report titled "The Bible in State Academic Standards," the organization looked at numerous states and what their education standards are, and showed that there is leeway to teach students about Christianity.

In a press release, the organization stated that the report "highlights state-by-state, academic standards indicating ample opportunity for educators to teach about the Bible, Christian beliefs, and Christians who were influential in history."

The president of Gateways to Better Education, Eric Buehrer, argues that there are misconceptions among teachers when it comes to religion. "There is a common misconception among many educators that teaching about the Bible and Christianity is not allowed in public school classrooms because of concerns over the establishment of religion," said.

California, for instance, recommends that sixth graders know about the origins of Christianity, the teachings of Jesus Christ, and the contributions of St. Paul to spreading the religion.

Massachusetts has standards for seventh graders in history and social studies, which include knowing a variety of facts about Christianity, including theological beliefs and the nature of Jesus Christ as viewed by followers.

Furthermore, students should understand the origins of Christianity and understand monotheism, and the Christian interpretation of salvation, the Old and New Testaments, and the lives of central figures.

Some may worry that the report is advocating pushing Christianity on those who wouldn't believe it, but the report calls on teachers to remain objective.

"The lesson should not be designed to prove the story is true, nor question whether the story is accurate. The goal should be to introduce students to the story and help them understand the influence it has had on history, literature, art, and music."

Pope Francis Prayer Intentions for July 2015
Universal: That political responsibility may be lived at all levels as a high form of charity.
Evangelization: That, amid social inequalities, Latin American Christians may bear witness to love for the poor and contribute to a more fraternal society.

Comments

As the record-breaking California drought stretches into its fifth year, lawmakers are passing legislation intended to help the communities hardest hit by water shortages. California Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer have both introduced emergency drought ... continue reading

Some were left puzzled as to why two Southern Baptist presidential candidates from the GOP were left out of a major Christian event; the reason was not as bad as some speculated. According to the official statement from the organizers of the event, the two candidates ... continue reading

IRS
Commissioner John Koskinen was threatened with contempt charges by a
federal judge this week. Koskinen failed to produce, by decree, newly
recovered emails of former IRS official Lois Lerner. U.S. District Court
Judge Emmet Sullivan had ordered the IRS at ... continue reading

In
the waning days of President Barack Obama's presidency, Senate Majority
Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is vowing to overthrow his signature
legislation. Health care reform, better known as "Obamacare" has been a
cause of disagreement with conservatives and ... continue reading

Many of his fellow conservatives and Republicans were taken by surprise when North Carolina Rep. Mark Meadows said he was trying to oust Speaker John Boehner. Many say it's a bad idea, coming just before August recess. Others say such a move could plunge the House of ... continue reading

Ivana Trump, the former wife of GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump has denied claims that he ever raped her. "I have recently read some comments attributed to me from nearly 30 years ago at a time of very high tension during my divorce from Donald. The story is ... continue reading

Hillary
Clinton's personal email account "contained classified information when
they were generated," "remain classified today" and "should never have
been transmitted via an unclassified personal system." Those are the
findings of the U.S. Intelligence ... continue reading

At
a "free-wheeling" press conference, GOP Presidential candidate Donald
Trump says he is putting no cap into the money he is going to pour into
his campaign. A self-made billionaire in real estate, Trump denounced
Republican candidates Jeb Bush and Scott ... continue reading

The national debate over the Affordable Care Act is heating up. A Romantic Catholic group of nuns, who manage a nursing home around the world called the Little Sisters of the Poor, continue their fight against the law's debatable contraceptive mandate. MUNTINLUPA, ... continue reading

Influential
people, falling sway to a former United States president - and his
wife, with eyes on the White House, it was learned that tens of millions
of pounds of United Kingdom aid money has been siphoned through
charities linked to Hillary Clinton. LOS ... continue reading